après été 2022
We hosted our first après dinner to celebrate summer, enjoy community, and dream together on Saturday, July 9th. The theme was 'the South of France comes to Upstate NY." We brought our top local clients and closest friends together for some sweet summer libations and local provisions.
The dinner was set in my parents backyard. The clothesline draped with bedsheets and button downs led the guests to a small set of trees on the back line of the property. As they stepped through two sheets dancing in the wind they were greeted by Aretha on vinyl.
The table was set using all vintage place settings. The china plates were sourced from the Habitat ReStore in Hudson. The staff was incredibly friendly & helpful as they let me mix & match patterns so I had a complete setting (and they gave me a great deal!). The crystal, napkins, and silverware came from all over; my personal collection, Goodwill in Hudson, The Second Show in Hudson (right across the street from the studio!), and The Red Hook Thrift Shop (my second home ;)). The tablecloths were old fitted sheets and runners I picked up at a thrift for my pop-up events.
I used the table I take with me to pop-ups as well as one borrowed from my parents, and the chairs were lent to me by a friend. The record player was borrowed from my dad, we gifted it to him last Christmas (purchased second hand). The Aretha vinyl was from my collection, purchased a few years ago in hopes that I will one day have a record player of my own.
The florals were foraged from the side of the road as well as a few blooms from my mothers garden. Each place setting had a vintage Parisian post card, found at Hoffman's Barn, with the guests name handwritten on them.
As guests arrived they were served rosé from the South of France, purchased at Sipperley's in Red Hook. The table was adorned with local fruits and cheeses from Migliorelli, Rose Hill, and Hawthorn Valley Farm store. The baguettes were secured at Bread Alone in Rhinebeck on the morning of the event. The vinyl switched to Ella Fitzgerald and we all enjoyed one another's company. Old friends caught up, new friends met, and laughter was had by all. For the main dish we served a soupe au pistou, popular in the south of France, naturalmente.
I shared a few words of gratitude before we moved on to dessert. As I have started this business by myself, I truly could not have done it without the support of each and every one of my friends, family, and clients present (as well as you reading this!!) Part of the reason I wanted to host a dinner is that I love bringing people together. After a very intense few years I wanted people to feel, if only for a night, a sense of peace, hope, and wonder, that they could take with them after they left. I believe our greatest weapon is community. I believe that together we can do anything, and that there is still so much beauty in this world in which I am committed to shining a light on. The climate crisis is scary, but I continue to have more hope than fear and that's what drives me to keep going.
Dessert was made by a good friend, client, and amazing baker, Julia, also known as boulanger tait, and was honestly one of the best tartes I've ever tasted. The tarte was served with espresso martini's made by my dear friend Ryan, with fresh Chantilly on the side.
To say the evening was perfect, is an understatement. It could not have been possible without both Maria & Ryan who helped me immensely to put it all together, so thank you, thank you, thank you. The waste of the party consisted of half a regular sized garbage bag (mostly meat and cheese wrappers), a full bowl of compost, and a few bottles of wine for recycling. We washed all the linens and hung them out to dry, and were able to throw most of the dishes in the dishwasher.
I plan to host more dinners soon and be able to invite many more. In the meantime, please enjoy these beautiful images taken by Cassidy, (who also happens to be my cousin), and an amazing photographer. I hope you feel inspired to live more beautifully, respect nature, and enjoy the company of those around you.
With so much gratitude and hope.
Je t'aime xx
Kaitlyn
